Jeff Crosby (he/him)

Courses taught:

• Animation and Illustration (Undergraduate)

Jeff Crosby has worked in a variety of fields within illustration, but his career has become focused on the writing and illustration of children’s picture books and graphic novels for young readers. The stories are often centred around animal and mythological characters in fantastical worlds. His work deals with themes of empathy, friendship, corruption, and identity. Jeff is confident working in a variety of media and techniques, but most of his work is either created with acrylic painting or ink drawing. He is also proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite and creates digital work as well. He is Course Director of the BA (Hons) Animation and Illustration at Cambridge School of Art.

He/him

Visit Jeff's website

[email protected]

Background

Jeff Crosby earned a BFA in Communication Design from the University of North Texas where he studied graphic design, illustration, printmaking, and biology. He then went on to the School of Visual Arts in New York City where he obtained his MFA in Illustration. He lived and worked in New York for thirteen years where he launched a thirty-year career as a freelance illustrator.

Jeff has created work for major American newspapers, magazines, design studios, and book publishers. He has written and illustrated several children’s books and is currently working on a graphic novel. Returning to Texas, he started teaching at the university level at Texas State University. There, he taught illustration, history of graphic design, digital media, and intro to graphic design.

Jeff moved to the UK seven years ago and began his role as a lecturer at ARU on the BA (Hons) Illustration and MA Children’s Book Illustration courses, before becoming a senior lecturer on the BA (Hons) Animation & Illustration course.

Teaching

Jeff currently teaches on the following modules:

• Illustration & Animation Practice
• Sequential Structures & Contexts
• Sequential Practice
• Animation Practice
• Professional Sequential Practice

Qualifications

• MFA Illustration, School of Visual Arts
• BFA Communication Design, University of North Texas
• FHEA; Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Memberships, editorial boards

• Association of Illustrators
• Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
• POSERS life drawing

Selected recent publications

Norton, Jeff. 2025. Dino Knights: Extinction. Scallywag Press

Norton, Jeff. 2023. Dino Knights: Invasion. Scallywag Press

Norton, Jeff. 2021. Dino Knights: Panterra in Peril. Scallywag Press

Crosby, Jeff. 2014. The Rockabilly Goats Gruff. Holiday House

Crosby, Jeff. 2011. Wiener Wolf. Disney-Hyperion

Crosby, Jeff and Jackson, Shelley. 2011. Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos, & Pit Ponies: A History of Horse Breeds. Tundra Books

Crosby, Jeff and Jackson, Shelley. 2008. Little Lions, Bull Baiters, & Hunting Hounds: A History of Dog Breeds. Tundra Books